Tymoshenko's Return Not 'Fatal,' Says Yushchenko

Yuliya Tymoshenko pictured after meeting with President Viktor Yushchenko shortly after parliamentary elections in March (epa) June 6, 2006 -- Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko says a proposal that Yuliya Tymoshenko should head a new government would not be "fatal" to coalition talks.

Yushchenko's Our Ukraine, Tymoshenko's party, and another 2004 Orange Revolution ally, the Socialist Party, are seeking to form a coalition, but disagreements over the distribution of cabinet posts have proven to be a major obstacle.


Tymoshenko insists she should return to the post of prime minister -- from which Yushchenko fired her -- because her party emerged from March's parliamentary elections with more votes than its potential coalition partners.


The pro-Russian Party of the Regions won the elections but failed to secure a majority in parliament.


Yushchenko says he is hopeful a coalition can be formed this month. He is due to meet representatives of the three parties later today.


(Reuters, "Ukrayinska pravda," Interfax-Ukraine)

The Key Players

The Key Players

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